Unexpected!

Question to think about: Are you ready?

We just don't expect the arctic winter weather in our area. In the past few days we have had unusual cold weather with snow and ice which has led to closures and delays. In turn, the weather has messed with schedules, plans, and the all-mighty to-do lists. The problem is that few people are equipped or trained to manage anything beyond our typical winter rainy days.

The unexpected happens . . . whether we are ready or not.

The young woman, Mary, was unexpectedly visited by the angel, Gabriel:
During Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you." (Luke 1:26-28, NCV)

Can you imagine receiving a message from God through Gabriel? One thing is for sure . . . schedules and plans would not be our primary focus . . . all that we would be able to think of would be the message of God . . . it would take our full attention . . . and we would tell about it.

The thing is . . . the Spirit of God speaks to us through the Word . . . which is beyond comprehension . . . do we realize the power . . . the miracle . . . of God's message to us?

Look at the message in Isaiah 42:16 . . . it is a message from God . . . "I will" . . .

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16, NKJ)

What is the message from God?
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know . . . God will give us vision . . . perception . . . giving understanding in unexpected ways.
I will lead them in paths they have not known . . . God will lead us . . . in an unexpected pathway and direction.
I will make darkness light before them . . . even in the darkest of times . . . when hope seems lost . . . God will make our darkness light.
And crooked places straight. . . when we think that nothing will change . . . everything is wrong . . . God comes in . . . with an unexpected transforming power . . . the impossible becomes possible . . . the crooked places are made straight.
These things I will do for them . . . it is a choice to respond with belief that God will do the unexpected.
And not forsake them . . . God is always present . . . we will leave and forsake God and others . . . God will never leave us or forsake us . . . never.
Receive the message of God.
Focus on the message.
Look for the unexpected work of God.
Give up one thing (fast) until the New Year for more time and clarity with God . . . ask God to get you ready for the unexpected.
Stop . . . Breathe . . . Get Ready . . . Receive the Message of God . . . Celebrate the unexpected work of God!

Learning with you how to be ready for the unexpected work of God.
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)